Dolphins select Utah LB Koa Misi with the No. 40 pick

DAVIE — The Dolphins used the No. 40 pick, received Thursday in a trade with San Diego, on Utah outside linebacker Koa Misi.

The 6-2 1/2, 251-lb Misi mostly played end in 2009 for the Utes, but said he did line up a few games at linebacker, where he’ll play in the NFL.

“Being versatile in college, I think I can play both,” Misi said. “I feel pretty comfortable at the linebacker position.”

Misi, 23, had 71 tackles, including 34 solos, 9.5 for loss and five sacks in 2009. He also forced four fumbles.

Misi’s NFL-provided bio opens, “Misi may be the most-talented athlete ever to perform at Utah.”

At the scouting combine, Misi ran the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds, had a 38-inch vertical leap and a broad jump of 10-7.

Misi is a native of Santa Rosa, Calif., but said his family traces its ancestry to Tonga. His full name is Nawa’akoa Lisiate Foti Analeseanoa Misi.

Misi traces his intensity to his father, Sione, who owns a tree company in Redding, Calif.

“If my intensity wasn’t there, he made sure it was there,” Misi said. “One time in high school he came down on the field and told me to wake up. He hit me with his head and ever since then I was ready to go.

“Just growing up through high school and getting to college I knew how to play. That’s how I’ve always been.”

Asked if anybody was bloodied by head butt, Misi said, “No, I had my helmet on.”